Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
19/2/08 Andy Murray. Right or wrong?
If there was criticism last week of Andy Murray's withdrawal from this weekend's Davis Cup tie here against Argentina, it was kept within the British ranks. A couple of days before the tie takes place, however, the world No 11's own brother, Jamie, made it clear that his colleagues were deeply unhappy with his decision.
"It was a shock to me, and I think for the team it's also very disappointing," Jamie said. "It's a shame that he decided that it was best for him not to come here. It kind of affects the way we feel about him." Jamie speaking to the Independent's Paul Newman shows that team GB clearly feels let down by his behaviour and his choices. And coming from his brother it shows that something is wrong in the camp.
Andy's website even shows him playing soccer with friends (he pulled out with a knee injury) and this will definetely not improve his public image. And bear in mind that the nation's only highly-ranked athlete, with true world class potential pulled out from what should be seen as the biggest international match-up in years (Davis Cup 1st Round tie)
Andy will obviously stick to his position that he was injured and not 100% fit but the real reason is probably the fact that everyone was more or less resigned to the fact that it would take a very big miracle to beat Argentina in the Davis Cup, so the Scot would rather get himself ready for the Marseille Open (not exactly a Grand Slam!!) and ironically win it rather than represent his country, or be it Great Britain.
There are all sorts of debates when it comes to international tennis. Should it be Great Britain, should there be stricter measures and/or incentives for players to represent their countries and compete? Andy, for his own reasons and they might be good ones, has helped to raise a long-standing debate...
"It was a shock to me, and I think for the team it's also very disappointing," Jamie said. "It's a shame that he decided that it was best for him not to come here. It kind of affects the way we feel about him." Jamie speaking to the Independent's Paul Newman shows that team GB clearly feels let down by his behaviour and his choices. And coming from his brother it shows that something is wrong in the camp.
Andy's website even shows him playing soccer with friends (he pulled out with a knee injury) and this will definetely not improve his public image. And bear in mind that the nation's only highly-ranked athlete, with true world class potential pulled out from what should be seen as the biggest international match-up in years (Davis Cup 1st Round tie)
Andy will obviously stick to his position that he was injured and not 100% fit but the real reason is probably the fact that everyone was more or less resigned to the fact that it would take a very big miracle to beat Argentina in the Davis Cup, so the Scot would rather get himself ready for the Marseille Open (not exactly a Grand Slam!!) and ironically win it rather than represent his country, or be it Great Britain.
There are all sorts of debates when it comes to international tennis. Should it be Great Britain, should there be stricter measures and/or incentives for players to represent their countries and compete? Andy, for his own reasons and they might be good ones, has helped to raise a long-standing debate...
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Tennis 12/2/2008
In Women's tennis after the Fed Cup excursions last week, there wasn't much going on. Anna Chakvetadze beat Agnes Szavay in three sets on Sunday afternoon for the Open Gaz de France crown. The Russian is now 7-0 lifetime in Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles finals, an incredible achievement in itself and moved back up to the 6th seed position in the world.
In men's tennis the three events taking place this week (Marseille, Costa De Sauipe and Delray Beach Open) there were a couple of notable results. Diego Hartfield pulled out a big surprise by defeating seeded Tommy Haas by 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 with unknown quantity Bobby Reynolds beating 2-time Swiss champion Xavier Malisse 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
Meanwhile in Marseille in 5the big firts round clash between Robin Soderling and Jarko Nieminen the Swede came out on top in a close encounter 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.
Lastly last week in the Davis Cup 1st round games, Murray-less Great Britain suffered a defeat at Buenos Aires by Argentina at 4-1. Jamie Baker provided the only surprise win for team GB against Calleri. In other ties in the first round Russia beat Serbia in the big matchup by 3-2, while France Spain and USA qualified easily by beating Romania, Peru and Austria respectively.
Germany, Sweden and Checz Republic completed the quarte final line-up with narrow 3-2 wins against Korea, Israel and Belgium. More details on those ties will be up on my blog shortly
In men's tennis the three events taking place this week (Marseille, Costa De Sauipe and Delray Beach Open) there were a couple of notable results. Diego Hartfield pulled out a big surprise by defeating seeded Tommy Haas by 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 with unknown quantity Bobby Reynolds beating 2-time Swiss champion Xavier Malisse 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
Meanwhile in Marseille in 5the big firts round clash between Robin Soderling and Jarko Nieminen the Swede came out on top in a close encounter 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.
Lastly last week in the Davis Cup 1st round games, Murray-less Great Britain suffered a defeat at Buenos Aires by Argentina at 4-1. Jamie Baker provided the only surprise win for team GB against Calleri. In other ties in the first round Russia beat Serbia in the big matchup by 3-2, while France Spain and USA qualified easily by beating Romania, Peru and Austria respectively.
Germany, Sweden and Checz Republic completed the quarte final line-up with narrow 3-2 wins against Korea, Israel and Belgium. More details on those ties will be up on my blog shortly
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Tennis 5/2/2008
In women's tennis there is activity with the Federation Cup first round games taking place. The federation cup is the women's equivalent of the Davis Cup.
Russia, the current Fed Cup champions, with the contribution of Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova brushed past Israel winning them 4-1. The USA team also won, demolishing the German team by the same scoreline. The american team will now face the strong Russian team in what should be a thrilling encounter with brilliant matchups including high-seeded players such as the Williams sisters, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Nadia Petrova and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
The other semi-final includes surprise package China who surprisingly beat France 3-2 and Spain who beat last year's finalists Italy by the same scoreline.
In Men's tennis there is the beginning of the Davis Cup on the cards after 3rd seed Novak Dkokovic ended the Roger Federer domination and won the Australian Open with some impressive displays throughout. Serbia, with Djokovic in their ranks will face the strong Russians while current champions USA should have an easy first round test against Austria.
Othe first round ties include France vs Romania, Israel at home to Sweden, germany with the up an coming talent Philip Kohlschreiber at home to South Korea, Argentina at home to the Great Britain team, newcomers Peru against Spain and Chech Republic against Belgium
There are three minor tournaments being played this upcoming week as well with the Marseille open being played indoors, Delray Beach International Tennis Championships being played outdoors in America and Brazil Open played on clay , which should be a good preparation for athletes for the French Open. Information on those tournaments will be posted here next week.
Russia, the current Fed Cup champions, with the contribution of Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova brushed past Israel winning them 4-1. The USA team also won, demolishing the German team by the same scoreline. The american team will now face the strong Russian team in what should be a thrilling encounter with brilliant matchups including high-seeded players such as the Williams sisters, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Nadia Petrova and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
The other semi-final includes surprise package China who surprisingly beat France 3-2 and Spain who beat last year's finalists Italy by the same scoreline.
In Men's tennis there is the beginning of the Davis Cup on the cards after 3rd seed Novak Dkokovic ended the Roger Federer domination and won the Australian Open with some impressive displays throughout. Serbia, with Djokovic in their ranks will face the strong Russians while current champions USA should have an easy first round test against Austria.
Othe first round ties include France vs Romania, Israel at home to Sweden, germany with the up an coming talent Philip Kohlschreiber at home to South Korea, Argentina at home to the Great Britain team, newcomers Peru against Spain and Chech Republic against Belgium
There are three minor tournaments being played this upcoming week as well with the Marseille open being played indoors, Delray Beach International Tennis Championships being played outdoors in America and Brazil Open played on clay , which should be a good preparation for athletes for the French Open. Information on those tournaments will be posted here next week.
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